Slingshot Game Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a lightweight slingshot tossing game that is easily transported, setup, and stored. In this game, at least two game vessels are positioned at a specific distance from one another. Each game vessel is comprised of a base and a launch frame having a sling shot. The game vessel is ideally collapsible to facilitate storage and transportation of the game. When assembled, each game vessel is open at the top creating a target or basket in which projectiles can be aimed. The face of the game vessel has additional target receptacles allowing the player to score additional points.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/933,579 of Billy B. Mullet Jr. filed Nov. 11, 2019, entitled Slingshot Game Apparatus, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games and more particularly to a slingshot based tossing game using any one of a number of projectiles. The tossing of objects into a targeted area is well known and has served as an enjoyable pastime for many years. A number of games have been devised where objects are tossed or thrown into a basket or goal. Horseshoes, cornhole, ladder toss, and washers are all common examples of these types of tossing games.

The first variation of cornhole was patented in the late 1800′s. In this game, players toss bean bags onto a single, slanted and substantially horizontal game board where points are awarded for each bag that lands on that board. Players can earn additional points by tossing or bumping bags through a single hole within the board. This game has remained virtually unchanged for more than a hundred and thirty years and has endured as a favorite pastime for many players.

While cornhole is still extremely popular, a more energetic version would attract a new generation of players searching for faster paced entertainment. A standard cornhole board is large, heavy, cumbersome, and difficult to transport. A more dynamic game offering lightweight and easily maneuvered pieces would allow the game to be played in a variety of settings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a fast-paced, lightweight, collapsible tossing game that is easily transported, set up, and stored. In this game, at least two game vessels are positioned at a specific distance from one another. Each game vessel is comprised of a collapsible base and a launch frame. When assembled, each game vessel is open at the top creating a target or basket in which projectiles can be received. The face of the game vessel has additional target areas as described more fully below.

The base is ideally comprised of a single piece of flexible material that connects to itself in a manner that forms a rigid, self-supporting structure. This base may be staked to the ground to enhance the stability of the assembled game vessel. Each base has a target face comprised of least two through-apertures extending through the thickness of the base material such that a projectile may pass through it. These apertures may take a variety of shapes and sizes provided that they accommodate the projectile; however, one hole is ideally smaller than the other. Unlike cornhole, the higher point value target faces in this game are substantially perpendicular to the ground.

A launch frame extends from the top of the base. Each launch frame is removeably attached to the base and has a pair of elongate members positioned a distance apart either by affixing the members at a specific distance or by placing a brace or crosspiece between the elongate members. An elastic material coupled to a sling or pouch is affixed to the elongate members to create a slingshot.

Each player takes turns launching projectiles of choice toward the target face of their opponent's game vessel. Each target opening is assigned a point value and two or more teams compete by tossing the projectiles through the target openings to accumulate a winning score. Game scoring is based on the area that the player hits with the projectile. An object passing through the smallest target is awarded more points than an object passing through the larger target or into opening at the top of the base. If the player strikes the barrel but the object does not pass through or into one of the target areas, the player is awarded even fewer points. By orienting the high point target areas vertically and introducing a slingshot to launch bean bags or other projectiles into these targets, inventors have a created an energetic game requiring a skill level that far exceeds that called for in cornhole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game in play using two game vessels spaced a distance apart

FIG. 3 is perspective view of one embodiment of the base panel in its collapsed form

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the launch frame

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the base panel in its assembled form

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the rear of one embodiment of the present invention

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   5 Game Vessel -   10 Base -   15 Launch Frame -   20 Base Panel -   25 Attachment Means -   30 First End of Panel -   35 Second End of Panel -   40 Tabs -   45 Slots -   50 Open Top of Base/Target Area/Target Receptacle -   55 Through-aperture/Target Area/Target Receptacle -   60 Target Face -   65 Projectile -   70 Protrusions -   75 Cavities -   80 Elongate Member -   82 Slot -   85 Attachment Point -   90 Elastomeric material -   95 First End of Elastic Material -   100 Second End of Elastic Material -   105 Sling/Pouch

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 shows a view of the game in play. As previously discussed, a minimum of two game vessels 5 are placed a set distance from each other. This distance may be selected by the players but ideally two game vessels 5 will placed at a distance ranging from fifteen to forty feet from each other. Each game vessel 5 is comprised of a base 10 and a launch frame 15 as depicted in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Ideally, the base is collapsible to allow for easier storage and transportation of the game components.

The base 10 may be comprised of a single panel of stiff, flexible material such as a polymer or thin metal that, when manipulated, transforms into the base 10. This base panel 20 has an attachment means 25 that is either affixed to, or an integral part of, the base panel 20. When erected, the attachment means 25 allows the base panel 20 to connect to itself, forming a rigid, self-supporting base 10 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The attachment means 25 may take any number of forms including but not limited to hook and loop tape, tabs and slots, ties, snaps and other mechanical fastening means that are easily connected and disconnected.

One embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, depicts a rectangular base panel 20 having a first end 30 and a second end 35. The first end 30 of the base panel 20 has a set of tabs 40 that fit within corresponding slots 45 on second end 35 of the base panel 20, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of the structure. When the tabs 40 are placed into the slots 45, a sturdy cylindrical base 10 having an open top 50 and an open bottom is formed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This open top 50 doubles as a target receptacle for the players in which to score points. While slots 45 and tabs 40 were used in this particular embodiment, one will appreciate that other means of attachment may be implemented to achieve the same result as noted above. Alternatively, a self-contained, foldable pop-up structure may be used as a base provided that it can support and fasten to the launch frame 15.

It should also be recognized that the base panel 20 may be scored, hinged, or folded to create a multi-faceted prismatic base 10. The base 10 may take the form of an octagonal, rectangular, hexagonal, triangular or other common prismatic shape. Target receptacles 55 may be placed on one or more of the various faces of a prismatic base to modify the game's complexity and skill level.

Each game vessel 5 has at least two through-apertures 55 that serve as the target receptacles; ideally one aperture is smaller than the other. Looking now to FIG. 1, the through-apertures 55 may be aligned vertically or may be positioned in other areas on the game vessel 5 to create a target face 60. These through-apertures 55 may be circular or they may take other shapes such as rectangular slots, oval holes, triangular openings, etc. provided that they accommodate the projectile 65. As previously discussed, the target face 60 is substantially perpendicular to the ground on which the base 10 rests once the game vessel 5 has been constructed and placed in an upright position.

A launch frame 15 extends substantially vertically from the open top 50 of the constructed base 10. FIGS. 1 through 4 and 6 illustrate one embodiment where the launch frame 15 has a set of protrusions 70 that fit within a corresponding set of cavities 75 within the base 10. The launch frame 15 has two elongate members 80, each elongate member 80 being rigid and having a geometry that mates with or attaches to the base 10. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the launch frame 15 is fitted with slots 82 having a geometry configured to accommodate the thickness and form of the base panel 20; however, other geometric designs and attachment means may be utilized provided that the launch frame 15 is securely fastened to and supported by the base 10.

To assemble the game vessel 5 in this particular embodiment, the player slides the launch frame 15 into the open top 50 of the constructed base 10, placing the protrusions 70 into the cavities 75 and the slots 82 into the base panel 20 such that the launch frame 15 is held securely within the assembled base 10. This configuration makes it easy to assemble and disassemble each game vessel 5 and to transport and store the base panel 20 and launch frame 15 when the game vessel 5 is not in use. It should be noted that the launch frame 15 may be attached to the base 10 by other means including but not limited to alternate protrusion/cavity design, hook and loop tape, adhesives, mechanical fasteners and the like.

As previously noted, the launch frame 15 has two elongate members 80, each elongate member 80 having an attachment point 85 as illustrated in FIG. 1. An elastic material 90 having a first end 95 is securely affixed to the attachment point 85 of the first elongate member 80. The second end 100 of the elastic material 90 is securely affixed to the attachment point 85 on the second elongate member 80. This connection may be made using any suitable means provided that the elastic material 90 is securely fastened. The elastic material 90 may be looped around or through the elongate members 80 or it may be affixed to the elongate members 80 using strong adhesives or mechanical fasteners. FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 6 depict elongate members 80 having decorative curved ends; however, the launch frame 15 may take on any shape or size provided that it has two elongate members 80 spaced a distance apart to allow for the attachment of a sling shot apparatus having requisite strength to withstand the forces applied.

A pouch or sling 105 having a size and shape that will accommodate the projectile 65 is affixed on or through the approximate center of the length of the elastic material 90. When a projectile 65 is placed in this pouch 105 and the pouch 105 is pulled back, potential energy is stored within the elastic material 90. When the player releases the grip on the pouch 105, this potential energy transforms into kinetic energy, launching the projectile 65 in the general direction in which it was aimed. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a single cord of elastic material 90 looped through the pouch 105; however, additional cords or bands may be used. Alternatively, the pouch 105 may be affixed to two or more smaller lengths of elastic material 90 which are connected to the elongate members 80. Inventors contemplate the use of elastic tubing for the elastic material 90 but any suitable material such as elastic banding, bungee cords, or rubber bands capable of launching the projectile 65 may be utilized. The pouch 105 may comprise an additional handle to facilitate easier launching of the projectile 65.

To play the game, each player takes aim and launches the projectile 65 into the opposing team's game vessel 5. The player places the object into the sling 105, pulls back on the elastic material 90, aims for the target receptacles 55 on the opposing team's game vessel 5, and releases the sling 105. Inventors anticipate that a soft projectile 65 such as a bean bag will be used but any appropriate projectile 65 capable of passing through the target receptacles 55 may be launched including snowballs, water balloons, eggs, soft balls, and other similar objects. The lightweight nature of the game vessel 5 and open base allows players to easily lift the units when retrieving projectiles 65 within it.

While the above description contains many specifics, these should be considered exemplifications of one or more embodiments rather than limitations on the scope of the invention. As previously discussed, many variations are possible and the scope of the invention should not be restricted by the examples illustrated herein. 

1. A projectile launching game comprising: a. at least one projectile; b. at least two collapsible bases, each collapsible base formed into a self-supporting structure, each collapsible base having a first target receptacle adapted to receive a projectile and at least two supplemental target receptacles adapted to receive the projectile; and c. a launch frame extending from and removeably attached to each collapsible base, the launch frame comprising a first and second elongate member spaced a distance apart, at least one length of elastomeric material having two ends, and a sling, wherein the first end of the length of elastomeric material is mechanically affixed to the first elongate member and the second end of the length elastomeric material is mechanically affixed to the second elongate member, the sling being positioned substantially at the center of the spaced distance between the two elongate members.
 2. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein the first target receptable is substantially horizontal and the supplemental target receptacles are substantially vertical.
 3. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein the first target receptable is substantially larger than the supplemental target receptacles.
 4. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein the supplemental target receptacles have differing sizes.
 5. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein each launch frame extends substantially vertically from each collapsible base.
 6. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein each collapsible base is comprised of a rectangular sheet of flexible material that may be formed and securely fastened in a cylindrical shape.
 7. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein each collapsible base further comprises attachment cavities that mate with the geometry and accommodate the assembly of the launch frame.
 8. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein the first and second elongate members are affixed or integral to a cross member that maintains a desired distance between each elongate member.
 9. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein the sling further comprises a handle.
 10. The projectile launching game of claim 1, wherein the collapsible base further comprises stakes. 